Fusion 82

One of the three initial recipients of the Fusion point, the Fusion 82 is in Delta’s mid-range of pens; not limited editions, but serial numbered to prove that a human craftsman has been in contact with the item. It is a fairly elegant pen, more rounded than most of Delta’s products, and stands as good competition for things like the Platinum #3776 in its moderate incarnations or the Sailor Professional Gear. However, there is a point of difference between this pen and those which bears investivation– the point.

Let me show you a quote from Delta’s press release regarding their Fusion point from the time of its release:

“The nib was developed to improve the efficiency of the fountain pen by enhancing the physical-chemical properties of ink within its assembly system. The foundation of the Fusion nib is a steel alloy covered and decorated with a layer of precious 18K gold: the ink is made more viscous on the tip of the nib because the thermal conductivity of the precious metal plate will heat the underlying steel – the higher temperature makes the ink flow more smoothly. The combination of gold and steel on the flexible nib gives it a unique and appealing look. It is strong and durable for long writing sessions – much more so than solid gold nibs. Hence, the fountain pen is more precious and at the same time less expensive!”

Is that not impressive? Now, I’m no scientist with specializations in physics, thermodynamics and chemistry, but I feel reasonably comfortably from my position as a layman who takes a passing interest in physics, thermodynamics and chemistry that most of the above can charitably be called hogwash. There are two items there I would agree with, the first being that this is indeed a steel point to which a piece of gold has been stuck, and the other that it does create an interesting visual. However, all that stuff about conduction and viscosity… nonsense.

Worse, though, is that the pen, however precious one considers it, is not actually less expensive. I mention two Japanese pens of similar size and shape above; if you are not too concerned about having deluxe editions, they cost less than the Fusion 82, despite having a lump of gold at the from sufficiently large to make a whole point out of. The main function of that wafer of gold is to allow Delta to stamp, or rather laser-etch, 18Kt-750 on the front of their pen without it being an outright lie.

There is, I should say, nothing wrong with the writing characteristics of the Fusion 82, apart from an apparent inclination toward baby-bottom tipping. It is a very pleasant, slightly springy steel point, and I imagine that like many modern steel points it is about as indifferent to the effects of ink as gold. It is not more strong and durable than gold, as some vintage pens will happily demonstrate, not is it noticeably flexible as the word is used relating to fountain pens.